Group for support of Belarus` opposition set up in Georgian parliament :: Charter'97 :: News

A group for support of Belarus` opposition forces has been set up in the Georgian national parliament, Russia`s RIA Novosti reported.

The group currently includes solely members of the pro-presidential United National Movement faction, which holds more than two-thirds seats in the legislature, but it is not unlikely that opposition lawmakers will join the group, the news agency said.

Among members of the group is Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani. It was at his invitation that Anatoly Lebedko, leader of Belarus` opposition United Civic Party, stayed on a visit to Tbilisi from May 8 through 10. "The group is expected to be numerous; we have fantastic support there," Mr. Lebedko told BelaPAN on May 10 following his meeting with the speaker of the Georgian parliament, Nino Burjanadze.

The official formation of the group will reportedly be completed in June. Georgian legislators plan to visit Belarus this coming fall to establish close contact with the opposition.

"I will surely go to Belarus. There will surely be a revolution in Belarus, but no name so far has been given to it," RIA Novosti quoted MP Koba Bekauri as saying.

"Our relations with Russia can be normal and bad. Now we have bad relations. If the Russians worsen their relations with us because of our participation in Belarus` processes, this will not affect our relations," Givi Targamadze, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security, reportedly said.